A List Of Non-Toxic Paint For The Home
Zero emission paint is more expensive that regular paint — but it’s worth it for the health benefits. Interior paints can release toxic emissions into a room for months or even years.
A List Of Eco-Friendly Wrapping Papers: Tree-Free and Recycled
Here is a list of eco-friendly gift wraps. These wrap are made with tree-free (lotka) paper or recycled paper:
Kapok Pillows Are Non-Toxic and Supportive
Kapok is an alternative to conventional pillow stuffing. It is soft like down, yet supportive. Kapok is a silky fiber harvested in the rainforests of southeast Asia, tropical America, and Africa. After the ripe pods of the tree are harvested, the seeds are removed and the fluffy fiber is meticulously cleaned and dried.
Experiments I’m Currently Running In The MetaEfficient Labs
These are some metaefficient experiments I’m currently running:
Efficient — Foot Pedal Faucet Controllers
Foot pedal faucet controllers allow you to control a faucet hands-free. These devices are efficient and hygienic — they are commonly found in commercial kitchens and hospitals. I’m not sure why we don’t see them in more homes. You can reduce water use by 50% using pedal controllers, and if it’s hot water, you’ll be …
Grapefruit Seed Extract — An Efficient Disinfectant
Grapefruit Seed Extract (or GSE) is a powerful disinfectant. It can be used to disinfect wounds, sterilize fruit and vegetables, purify drinking water, sanitize dishes, countertops and cutting boards and inhibit bacteria growth in pools and spas. The active ingredient of grapefruit seed extract is synthesized from the seed and pulp of certified organically grown …
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A List Of Lead-Free Garden Hoses That Are Safe For Water Drinking
Most garden hoses leach lead and other chemicals into the water. The problem is that they are made of PVC, which uses lead as a stabilizer. Consumer Reports tested 16 brands of garden hose sold at national chains and on the internet. In some hoses they measured 10 to 100 times more lead than the …
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The Most Efficient Humidifier: Areca Palm
To add humidity to a room you can place a few areca palms inside. These palms release copious amounts of water into the air, and remove chemical toxins too.
On Display: Collections Of Rare Bromeliads
These plants are Neoregelia Bromeliads. In the wild, they grow in the trees of South American rainforests. Indoors, they make fine house plants.
Unusual Green Architecture In Japan: Namba Parks
In a city with few green spaces, Namba Parks is a welcome swath of green for the inhabitants of Osaka. The complex stands where Osaka’s baseball stadium used to be until 2003, and consists of a 30-floor skyscraper, Parks Tower, and a shopping mall with eight floors of terraced gardens. The sloping park connects to …
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Red Tea: The Underrated Caffeine-Free Tea
Rooibos (pronounced “roy-boss”) is a red tea grown the mountainous Cedarberg area north of Cape Town in South Africa.
The Fastest And Easiest-To-Grow Microgreens
These are the easiest microgreens to germinate and sprout:
The Plant That Removes The Most Indoor Air Toxins: Boston Fern
The plant that removes the most indoor toxins and releases the most moisture into the air is the Boston Fern or Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis”.
A List Of Stores That Sell Non-Toxic Home Goods
These stores sell non-toxic good homes. They specialize in organic and natural bedding, bathroom items and fair-traded goods:
The Best Low-Flow Showerheads
Low-flow showerheads are efficient. They can significantly reduce your household water consumption without a noticeable difference to your shower experience. The term “low flow” is generally defined as a showerhead with a water consumption rate of 0.5 to 2 gallons per minute (gpm). Here’s my review of what’s available:
Zeolite: An Effective Natural Odor Absorber
Zeolite is a natural mineral which absorbs odors and excess moisture in the air. It can be used as a general deodorizer and to combat mildew or mold.
The Best Commuter Bikes
Bike manufacturers have answered the call to the increased population of bike commuters by designing full lines of commuter specific bikes. Though many of these commuter bikes aren’t cheap, if you’re giving up the car in favor of the most efficient form of transportation, you will of course save money. It is recommended that if …
The Spun Chair: A Sculpture That Rotates You
Our first entry into the MetaEfficient gallery is the Spun Chair by Heatherwick Studio. Is it an oversized toy? Is it a sculpture? Is it a piece of furniture? All three perhaps. I first spotted the Spun Chair while at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. Everyone who took the chair for a spin seemed to …